Making its debut on a breezy, sunny day, the first pet adoption partnership between the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter and Desert Dog Pet Store went off without a hitch Saturday afternoon on Balsam Street.

The adoption is an effort between animal shelter and the new Balsam Street business to bring potential pets into the heart of downtown.

“I think it is going to benefit the animals in a great way,” Ridgecrest Animal Shelter Supervisor Mary Stage said. “Plus it gets them out into the sunshine and out with other people.”

The first adoption showcase began small, with three cats and three smaller dogs on the wide sidewalks outside of Desert Dog Pet Store.

Overall, the pets drew a number of attention both from the business’s customer base and from passersby walking down Balsam Street.

“Hopefully this will create a lot of adoptions as well as create a lot of business for Scott (Wood) and his new establishment,” Stage said.

Desert Dog Pet Store opened in December as both a place for customers to self-wash and groom their pets and provide premium pet food and supplies.

Scott Wood, who operates the business with his wife Lynn Wood, said it was a great opportunity for the animal shelter.

“We are really excited that Ridgecrest Animal Shelter has decided to come to Balsam Street and showcase some of its finest,” Wood said Saturday.

Stage said the arrangement was ideal because of the location.

“He’s got premium food here so that’s what we want for our animals to have them cared for with the best quality of food and supplies,” she said. “Scott brings that with his new shop and hopefully we will add to his business by the adoptions he allows us to do outside of his business.”

Stage said that five adoption applications had been filled out from the Saturday adoption event. However, the agency’s adoption policy still requires a home inspection by one of the animal control officers before final approval is given.

Stage advised that people need to be sure they can actually adopt a pet.

“Be sure you actually want and need and can actually have an animal,” Stage said. “People tend to want on impulse because they see us out here. They tend to want to take it home and we need to do what is in the best interest of the animal.”

She added that owning or adopting any pet was a serious responsibility.

“You should really do the research on the animal you’re looking to adopt and you should really be ready to adopt that animal,” she said.

Page 2 of 2 - The adoption event however, is a great opportunity, she said.

The adoption events are the second Saturday of every month in front of Desert Dog Pet Store at 211 North Balsam St.